Characterization of Some <i>Rhizobium</i> Isolates and Their Effectiveness on Pea

Abstract

Six isolates of Rhizobium were isolated from pea (Pisum sativum) to characterize their cultural properties and observe their effectiveness on host legume. In a laboratory study Rhizobium isolates showed characteristic pattern of reactions in respect of growth rate, colony characteristics and acid/alkali production on different growth media. The effect of inoculations of Rhizobium isolates on nodulation, growth and nitrogen fixation of pea were assessed by a pot experiment on a clay loam soil of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur. Inoculation treatments comprised of Rhizobium isolates R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆. Among the Rhizobium isolates R₃ and R₅ of pea at 50% flowering stage had significant positive effective on nodulation, growth and nitrogen fixation of pea. There were high positive correlations among the number and dry weight of nodules, N content and uptake by shoot of pea.

Keywords: Rhizobium; Pea; Nodulation; Growth; Nitrogen fixation

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v25i1.4855

Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 25, Number 1, June 2008, pp 45-48